“And your husband?” she asked.
He had gone to Oporto, Leopoldina said. They would be alone for the rest of the day, and might do as they liked.
There was another silence of a minute or two.
“But what shall I say to this man?” Luiza asked suddenly.
Leopoldina answered lazily,—
“Why, that you need a conto de reis or six hundred thousand reis. What else should you say to him? And that you will repay him.”
“How?”
“In smiles.”
“Oh, this is horrible!” exclaimed Luiza, exasperated. “You see me desperate and half mad; you call yourself my friend; and yet you laugh and jest about my situation.” Her voice trembled; she could scarcely restrain her tears.
“It is that you ask so silly a question. How are you going to pay him? You yourself must know.”